Brownlow children’s day care centre Zero 8 Teen is to build a new, state-of-the-art play area, having reached its target of £36,000.

The latest donation is £15,000 from the Asda Foundation.

Over the past two years, the centre had been busy fundraising and has also received sizeable donations from the Ulster Garden Villages and Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Asda donation means it will finally be able to start work, with plans to unveil the new area in April 2017.

It will include a slide, tunnels, hopscotch plus lots of interactive games.

Zero 8 Teen runs a wide variety of services from the Totz’N’Teenz Child and Play Care Centre to a Rainbow Club, which provides respite care for children with special needs.

Carol from Zero 8 Teen said, “In 1996, Zero 8 Teen opened its doors to children and young people across the Brownlow and Craigavon areas, providing support for parents through our day-care centre.

“Eighteen years on, we have over 70 children using our facilities on a weekly basis.”

Elaine Livingstone, community champion for Asda Portadown, said, “As community champion for the area, it is fantastic to be able to give something back that the whole community will benefit from. Zero 8 Teen provides a great service, for both parents and children.

“The team has been tirelessly fundraising for the past two years, and we’re delighted to give them this boost and help them reach their final total!”